Harry Cobden’s Planet Sport Bet blog: Hoping D’Orhy is Pic-ture perfect

Here are Harry's thoughts on Pic D'Orhy's chances and his three other rides on Saturday afternoon.

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(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

12:55 (Ascot) Farnoge

I’m looking forward to getting back on Farnoge at Ascot on Saturday.

I was really impressed with him at Newton Abbot first time out where I actually don’t think he was that tuned up.

He’s improved massively since then and I worked upsides him on Thursday morning and he went really well.

I’m certain that he’ll step forward significantly here and it might be a bold shout but I do think he’s one of our top novice hurdlers.
 
I don’t think he’s short of speed, but he’ll definitely get three miles in time, most likely over fences in the future.

 

13:30 (Ascot) Pic D'Orhy

 

 

Pic D’Orhy has clearly got a massive chance. We know Shishkin is the one to beat and that won’t be easy but I’m excited to take him on again.

I do know Paul [Nicholls] has him very fit so there won’t be any excuses on that front.

I really rate him and I wouldn’t be surprised if he served it up to Nicky’s [Henderson] horse.
 
I’ve ridden him for 90 per cent of his career and I know the horse very well now.

Paul might say he’s a difficult ride because he did unship me on his first couple of starts over fences and he has just taken a bit of time to get his act together.
 
The King George could be an option after this depending how he runs.

I think he would stay three miles, but I’m not sure it would come to it as there are lots of good races over 2m5f that will suit him perfectly.
 
He’s right up there with the top chasers in this country and he’s probably a horse that hasn’t quite got the credit he deserves.

He’s won a Betfair Hurdle and a Melling Chase among others and he’s given me some great days.

He’s the sort of horse that you want to be riding and I can’t wait for Saturday.

 

 

14:05 (Ascot) Blueking D'Oroux

Blueking D’Oroux takes on the older horses for the first time, but he could be up to it.

I worked him on Thursday morning and he felt fantastic.

He’s improved a lot from Cheltenham and, while he didn’t really need to win that race to run here, he did so impressively.
 
It’s not the most competitive renewal of the race and I absolutely think he’s right up there with a good shout.

 

 

15:50 (Ascot) Regent Stroll

My final ride is Regent’s Stroll. He’s obviously got a brilliant pedigree and plenty of the lads in the yard like him a lot, so I’d expect him to be pretty competitive here.

I haven’t had much to do with him but, from what I’ve seen, he looks like he’s going to be a nice horse moving forward.